Sports ramblings…with a Yankees bias!

It’s A New Year, What’s New?…

New Year, same problems in left…

Okay, I didn’t really want to start the new year with any mention of left field, but unfortunately, there hasn’t been much more to talk about.2010 begins where 2009 left off…the Yankees are still in search of the right combination for left field.Perhaps the answer is already on the roster in the form of Brett Gardner and Jamie Hoffmann, or maybe the Yanks should move Curtis Granderson to left and install Gardner back in center.Ultimately, I don’t think either of those options will be viable ones when training camp opens in Tampa.But they do underscore the lack of urgency on the Yankees’ part.

I am a big proponent of finding a low-cost option with high upside.When Paul O’Neill was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds, he wasn’t a “big” name and he only cost the Yankees the long-forgotten Roberto Kelly.At the time, I was miffed that the Yanks would give up on Kelly, but history clearly showed that it was one of the most astute moves in Yankee history.

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I read a blog that speculated David DeJesus of the Kansas City Royals would be a good fit.I do not disagree.Today, Mike Axisa of River Ave Blues suggested Travis Buck of the Oakland A’s.Regardless of the latter’s health history, I am okay with either player.Ideally, there’s no question that I’d prefer Johnny Damon first and foremost.But I just don’t think it will happen for whatever reason.So, short of Damon, I like the idea of inserting a player with potential.It is a given that the Yankees will aggressively pursue Plan B if Plan A doesn’t work out.I don’t think the Mets would give him up at this point, but I have liked Jeff Francoeur.I still think that he’ll turn it around and live up to his early career promise.The Indians signed free agent and former Yankee Shelley Duncan today.In retrospect, it is too bad that the Yankees never gave him a chance.

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At the end of the day, I think that GM Brian Cashman won’t leave the Yanks short-changed in left.I have faith in the man with the plan…

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Allegedly, 15 teams have expressed interest in pitcher Chien-Ming Wang (with the Yankees included).I hope that the team can find a way to bring Wang back home.If Wang is right, how awesome would the Yanks bullpen be with both Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes?

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So, the Boston Red Sox finally solved their third base woes with the signing of free agent Adrian Beltre.I do not dispute that he is masterful with the glove, but anybody who has owned him in fantasy baseball knows that he is brutal offensively.He is clearly not the slugger he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers a few years ago.So, if you ask me if I am disappointed the Red Sox signed Beltre?No, if it means that the team can no longer pursue San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (financially speaking).Gonzalez is a difference-maker; Beltre is not.The sad part of the Beltre signing is that it will relegate Casey Kotchman to the bench or at the most, DH.At DH, he has potential, but of course, it means the end of David Ortiz.Also, this almost certainly ensures that Mike Lowell will be dealt.The latest rumor has him going to the Mets for Luis Castillo, which is kind of funny considering that the Mets haven’t been able to unload Castillo on anybody.So, the Beltre signing is “nice”, but it doesn’t improve the Sox in the long run, in my opinion.

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Did the Vikings’ total domination of the New York Giants and capture of the NFC second seed restore my faith in the Minnesota Vikings?Not really.The New York Giants gave up last week, so they pretty much rolled over for the Vikings on Sunday.It is hard for me to believe that the Vikings are truly a team capable of laying a 44-7 whuppin’ on a play-off foe.It’s funny that the Vikings were rooting for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday considering that the Cowboys have long been my “second” favorite team dating back to the Roger Staubach days.I admit that I was a bit miffed with the Cowboys beat the Vikings on the Hail Mary pass, but I did enjoy the Cowboys’ success under Jimmy Johnson and Troy Aikman in the 90’s.Of course, I did live in Dallas at the time, so it was a bit more enjoyable.Nevertheless, I still remain on the Purple side, so I’ll await the outcome of the NFC wild card games to see if the Vikings can legitimately move the closest to the Super Bowl that they’ve been since 1998.I am not a great fan of the current Dallas Cowboys so I don’t know who I’ll root for should my Vikings stub their toe.Perhaps I’ll root for Julia’s New England Patriots, but admittedly, they’ll have a tough road sans Wes Welker.

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I am not surprised that the Washington Redskins sacked head coach Jim Zorn.I know they are wining and dining Mike Shanahan, and that would probably be a very good move for them.I think Shanahan is a better fit than Steve Spurrier ever was.He knows owner Daniel Snyder so I think the two could co-exist so long as Shanahan can produce.Yeah, I wish the Vikings could be in play for a good coach…

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I hope everyone had a great holiday season, and a very happy New Year!Just think, baseball training camps open next month.I can’t wait.I am anxious to resume my battles with a certain friend in Boston…

My Pats chances are greatly diminished without Wes Welker…it was a terrible….BUT I have faith that my Pats will beat your Vikings in the Super Bowl! :-) And hey…you know, some of those peanut vendors have pretty good arms. Maybe the Yankees could sign one to play left! LOL!

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